technology companies have been searching for substitutes. to reduce their dependence on chinese suppliers. >> well, it has certainly been a winter of extremes here in europe. temperatures have climbed to record highs in the west and plunged to bitter lows in the east. >> it has become one of the biggest -- the bitterest winters russia has seen. the severe cold snap has claimed the lives of well over 100 people with more than 1700 seeking treatment for exposure. >> the plows are making slow progress. road crews in eastern siberia are struggling to clear meters of snow. in many areas, travel is all but impossible. with extreme temperatures down to -60, people are staying indoors for their own safety, but even at home, they are having difficulties. >> we have nothing here, not even water. we have to melt snow from the garden. it is freezing here. we have subzero temperatures in our homes. in the kitchen even with the still burning, it is - 5. >> in southern siberia, severe frosts have crippled one of the city's heating plants. >> we've spent tw